Date of Interview: May 20, 2009
Location of Interview: Gedeohn's Residence; New York, New York
Length of Transcript: 23 pages
Audio Clip:
Biographical Summary
Paul Gedeohn (1929-2013) received his Commercial Art Degree from Rochester Institute of Technology and his graduate degree in 1954 from Cranbrook Academy of Arts. After graduating, Gedeohn moved to New York City where he began working for Jack Lenor Larsen, Inc., first on a freelance basis and then as a permanent employee. He became Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated's principal graphic designer and colorist as well as head of printing. Gedeohn remained at Larsen for nearly thirty years. Gedeohn continued to paint throughout his career and exhibitions of his work have been held at Stable Gallery, New York, and Finch College Museum of Art, New York City. In 2008 an exhibition celebrating his design work for Larsen was held at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts entitled Larsen Design Studio: Part IV, Paul Gedeohn.
Interview Topics
Gedeohn speaks about the opportunity to work for Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated; how Jack Lenor Larsen would conceive a collection; the artistic freedom Gedeohn was allowed as a designer; the studio as “family”; Jack Lenor Larsen’s innovativeness and risk-taking attitude; the challenges of painting for printed fabrics; and his enjoyment of the job.
Primavera (1960) Art Nouveau Collection 98.022.134
Indian Paintbrush (1982) Terra Nova Collection 98.022.101
Funding for these oral histories was provided by a Craft Research Fund Grant from the University of North Carolina, Asheville Center for Craft, Creativity & Design.
